WE found many of my friends assembled—habitués of the opera lobbies and of the greenroom, and, as I had expected, a few unmasked “bouquets” anxious for the time to come when the water-bottles would be used—supper time!
I introduced Louis to several friends, and it is needless to say that he was politely received and welcomed.
Ten minutes after our arrival D—— entered, accompanied by his bouquet1 of myosotis, who unmasked herself with a freedom and precision which argued a long acquaintance with these sort of parties.
I introduced Louis to D——.
“Now,” said B——, “if all the presentations have been made, I suggest that we present ourselves at table.”
“All the presentations are made, but all the guests have not arrived,” replied D——.
“Who is expected then?”
“Chateau2 Renaud is still wanting to complete the party.”
“Ah, just so. By-the-by, was there not some bet?”
“Yes. We laid a wager3 of a supper for twelve, that he would not bring a certain lady here to-night.”
“And who is the lady,” asked the bouquet of myosotis, “who is so very shy as to be made the subject of a bet?”
I looked at Louis de Franchi. He was outwardly composed, but pale as a corpse4.
“Faith, I don’t know that there is any great harm in telling you her name, especially as none of you know her I think. She is Madame——”
Louis placed his hand upon D——’s arm.
“Monsieur,” he said; “will you grant me a favour? As a new acquaintance I venture to ask it!”
“What is it, monsieur?”
“Do not name the lady who is expected with M. de Chateau Renaud, you know she is a married woman!”
“Oh yes, but her husband is at Smyrna, in the East Indies, in Mexico, or some such place. When a husband lives so far away it is nearly the same as having no husband at all.”
“Her husband will return in a few days. I know him. He is a gallant5 fellow. I would wish, if possible, to spare him the chagrin6 of learning on his return that his wife had made one at this supper-party.”
“Excuse me, monsieur,” said D——, “I was not aware that you are acquainted with the lady, and I did not think she was married. But since you know her and her husband——”
“I do know them.”
“Then we must exercise greater discretion7. Ladies and gentlemen, whether Chateau Renaud comes or not—whether he wins or loses his bet, I must beg of you all to keep this adventure secret.”
We all promised, not because our moral senses were offended, but because we were hungry and wished to begin our supper.
“Thank you, monsieur,” said Louis to D——, holding out his hand to him. “I assure you you are acting8 like a thorough gentleman in this matter.”
We then passed into the supper-room, and each one took his allotted9 place. Two chairs were vacant, those reserved for Chateau Renaud and his expected companion.
The servant was about to remove them.
“No,” said the master, “let them remain; Chateau Renaud has got until four o’clock to decide his wager. At four o’clock if he is not here he will have lost.”
I could not keep my eyes from Louis de Franchi; I saw him watching the timepiece anxiously. It was then 3.40 A.M.
“Is that clock right?” asked Louis.
“That is not my concern,” said D——, laughing. “I set it by Chateau Renaud’s watch, so that there may be no mistake.”
“Well, gentlemen,” said the bouquet of myosotis, “it seems we cannot talk of anything but Chateau Renaud and his unknown fair one. We are getting horribly ‘slow,’ I think.”
“You are quite right, my dear,” replied V——. “There are so many women of whom we can speak, and who are only waiting to be spoken to——”
“Let us drink their health,” cried D——.
So we did, and then the champagne10 went round briskly; every guest had a bottle at his or her elbow.
I noticed that Louis scarcely tasted his wine; “Drink, man!” I whispered: “don’t you see that she will not come?”
“It still wants a quarter to four,” said he; “at four o’clock, even though I shall be late in commencing, I promise you I will over............